Here's Pastor Dave McDowell's weekly devotional that he sends out to members of his church. Dave is my brother and serves as the Music Minister at Stewartstown UMC in PA.
I believe in the adage,
you are only old once.
I saw it coming for weeks,
no.........months.
You know what I
mean,
that grand celebration when the
big zero pops
up.
I realize that some people put
their heads in the sand
about the big
zero,
wishing to ignore
it,
or pretending that it doesn't happen.
Not me.
I believe in embracing
it.
After all,
how can you ignore the
zero?
Certainly the body
doesn't.
Maybe that's
it.
I concede that the
body
isn't what it used to
be.
Not quite as much
pep,
signs of aging beginning to
surface,
requiring a bit more upkeep than
in earlier years.
Yes, I will admit there is no fun
in that.
Who wouldn't want to roll back
that zero
if they had the
opportunity?
Return to a
time
when there was a sleeker, trimmer
model,
when there weren't as many failing
parts,
and it was a bit easier to get
started each morning.
But photographs do not
lie.
And neither do
calendars.
I often
wonder
where the time has
gone.
Most people
do.
So many
memories,
so many different
places,
so many
stories.
Some difficult times for
sure,
but many more good
times.
That's why I don't
understand
why many people would rather
ignore the zero.
It's not like there haven't
been
previous celebrations of the
zero.
Each time the zero rolls
around,
it causes us to
reflect,
and also to look
ahead.
Maybe some people just don't like
to reflect,
or
maybe.....
people don't want to face the
future.
I have to
admit,
I wonder how long this body will
be around.
But someone I know once
commented,
There is an arrogance in
thinking
about being over the
hill,
because it assumes that you
know,
how big your hill
is.
I do wonder
sometimes,
what the last days will be
like,
and where will the body go when
it's time.
Some might think this is
morbid.
I just think it is a healthy and
realistic view.
Yes, each time the zero pops
up,
there is more to
ponder,
but also,
more to
celebrate.
Now this latest zero
was
a BIG zero,
so you would think there would be
a BIG celebration.
Actually,
there were only two at the
party,
me and the guest of
honor.
Oh,
you thought I was talking about
myself.....
Goodness,
no,
I am talking about my
car.
She just turned 100,000 on the
odometer.
She has been a faithful car over
the years.
She has never failed to get me to
my destination
(well except for the time that I
ran out of gas,
but that wasn't her
fault)
Rarely has she required
anything more than the usual
upkeep.
Some of the reason that she has
been
such a good
car,
is that I have cared for her
properly.
Throw in some good
fortune,
and it's been 100,000 great
miles.
Our bodies are a lot like
cars.
Feed
them daily
with the
Word.
Upkeep them
regularly
with the disciplines
of worship, prayer, and service to
others.
Pray for blessing from our
heavenly Father
and the probability of a long
journey
on the highway of life is
good.
Here's to your
journey......
may there be many zeroes on your
odometer,
may you care appropriately for
your vehicle,
and may you safely reach the
destination
that was promised you at your
salvation.
But grow in the grace and knowledge
of
our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be the
glory
both now and to the day of eternity.
Amen
2 Peter
3:18
.
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